Oh baby, that makes things way more interesting.
Zheng Dan looked at Zu An, and then looked at Sang Qian. In the end, she still shook her head. “Thank you young master for your good intentions, but there is no need.”
If the two of them were alone, she might have agreed on an impulse. She still had her honey trap mission after all.
But in front of so many people, riding with another man in such an intimate manner would definitely mess up the marriage between Zheng and Sang clans.
The Sang clan definitely wouldn’t allow themselves to become laughingstocks.
Even the Zheng clan might even start whacking her with brooms.
Zu An was only testing the waters, he wouldn’t really be that brazen.
He quickly had one of his guards give up his horse for her. Then, they headed out.
After a stick of incense’s worth of time, their group finally arrived by the pier. The pier was bustling with activity, countless boatmen busy unloading their cargo.
“Immediately cease everything you are doing, or else you will be executed for smuggling without exception!”
Sang Qian was furious to begin with. Now that he found a channel to vent out his resentment, he immediately stepped forward and shouted this.
His voice carried great penetrative force. Together with the dispersing soldiers, the pier immediately became quiet.
Zu An was a bit alarmed. This guy is actually pretty strong.
“Zu An, who is the one engaging in the illicit drug smuggling according to your sources?” Sang Qian didn’t bother being polite.
Zu An frowned. He didn’t know which clan it was exactly. Qiu Honglei’s intelligence wasn’t that detailed.
But he also reacted quickly. He immediately thought of a countermeasure. “We’ll investigate the goods first!”
The illicit salt trade had explosive returns, but it was also dangerous. If they smuggled too little each time, then they wouldn’t make much profits. If they smuggled too often, then the risk would also become high. That was why they would always try to find one chance to smuggle in a lot.
Sang Qian nodded. With a wave of his hand, his subordinates immediately rushed out.
Their search immediately got results. A group of soldiers brought a middle-aged man up to them. “Reporting! Most of the goods in the pier belong to his clan.”
Zu An gave this middle-aged man a look. His appearance was completely ordinary, you wouldn’t even notice him in a crowd.
The only thing worth noting was his smooth skin, his hands without much calluses either. It was obvious that this guy normally lived quite the good life.
“Uncle Hou, how could it be you?”
Zheng Dan suddenly voiced her surprise from the side.
Zu An was startled. He turned around to give her a look. “Do you recognize this person?”
Zheng Dan nodded. “He is our Zheng clan’s butler Hou Yun. Father has put him in charge of many things.”
“Oh?”
A pondering immediately appeared on Zu An’s face.
He suddenly thought to himself, Zheng Dan’s sudden appearance might not actually be a coincidence.
They were stalled for almost an hour because of her. Maybe she was trying to buy time.
Then does that mean that Sang Qian had no idea?
Sang Qian also spoke up. “Hou Yun, what are you doing here?”
“The Zheng clan was importing some goods today, so I came to monitor the situation.” That Hou Yun said with an apologetic smile.
“Since it is Zheng clan’s goods, then there shouldn’t be any issues. Examine the other goods.” Sang Qian waved his hand, indicating that he was letting this go.
“Hold on!” What the heck is going on here? How can this guy be let off that easily? There was no way Zu An was going to just let this matter rest. He stared straight at Hou Yun and asked, “What are the goods that you were expecting today?”
Hou Yun replied respectfully, “Just some ordinary goods.”
“Don’t feign ignorance. What is it?” Zu An said fiercely.
Zheng Dan stood up from the side. “Ah Zu, are you suspecting my Zheng clan of engaging in the illicit salt trade?”
Zu An thought to himself do I even need to doubt? Does it need to be any more clear? Who would have thought that the Zheng clan, one of Brightmoon City’s biggest salt merchants would engage in the illicit salt trade?
But this kind of makes sense. Most of Brightmoon City’s market share is dominated by the Chu clan, while the rest was split up between the other three clans. This really wouldn’t satisfy their appetites.
But of course, he wouldn’t say these things out loud. “Of course not. But I am worried that some subordinates might be a bit too daring and do some foolish things under the Zheng clan’s name. If things end up erupting in the future, what will be tarnished is the Zheng clan’s reputation! That is why we should still carefully look into this matter.”
“Ah Zu has thought things out well.” Zheng Dan smiled. Then, she turned to Hou Yun and said, “Uncle Hou, did you hear what he said? Just report things as they are.”
No emotional fluctuations could be seen from her voice.
Zu An sighed inwardly with praise. He really had no idea anymore if this woman was innocent or if she was just pretending. Her acting skills really were amazing.
“Just some cotton stuff. The Zheng clan has a big cotton clothing business, so transporting these things shouldn’t be illegal, right?” Hou Yun’s mood wasn’t too good from being doubted, so he said this back with a bit of attitude.
“Gate procedures and written official approval? Bring them out so we can have a look.” Zu An reached out a hand.
Sang Qian shot him a look from the side. Didn’t everyone call this guy an ignorant and incompetent fool? Why does he know about all these things?
This was where he was mistaken. Even though Brightmoon Academy yellow class’ professors didn’t teach much on cultivation matters, they lectured a lot on practical matters.
Many students found these lectures boring, but Zu An listened to everything he could understand to get a better understanding of this world.
Such a huge movement of goods definitely required corresponding official approvals.
That Hou Yun gave Sang Qian a consulting look. Sang Qian snorted. “What are you looking at me for? Zu An is here representing Brightmoon Duke, so just do as he says.”
“Yes yes yes~” Hou Yun immediately handed over the official documents.
Zu An examined them, finding that it indeed recorded some cotton like things.
But he still didn’t completely believe this. He walked straight up to the cargo ship. “Open up the cabin, I want to search this place.”
Hou Yun’s face changed. “But the goods have already been properly stowed! If you open up the cabin now and we have to load everything again, we’ll be delayed by at least a day! Our Zheng clan has to pay compensation if the goods do not reach their destination on time.”
Zu An said coldly, “Open up the cabin!”
With a wave of his hand, the Chu clan’s guards held down various parts of this ship. They were ready to make a move given the order.
Hou Yun’s expression also changed at this time. He said fiercely, “If nothing is found, will you take responsibility for the Zheng clan’s losses?”